MYRModel Year Report

2003 Ford Windstar

● Typical for this model
2003 Ford Windstar
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
1,510
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

44% of complaints

Complaints per year

1985: 5 complaints 1985 1990: 6 complaints 1991: 3 complaints 1992: 2 complaints 1992 1993: 11 complaints 1994: 23 complaints 1995: 3,328 complaints 1995 1996: 1,386 complaints 1997: 192 complaints 1998: 1,433 complaints 1998 1999: 1,522 complaints 2000: 1,675 complaints 2001: 1,686 complaints 2001 2002: 1,353 complaints 2003: 1,510 complaints 2003 1,510 2004: 24 complaints 2005: 1 complaint
1985: 5 complaints 1985 1990: 6 complaints 1991: 3 complaints 1991 1992: 2 complaints 1993: 11 complaints 1993 1994: 23 complaints 1995: 3,328 complaints 1995 1996: 1,386 complaints 1997: 192 complaints 1997 1998: 1,433 complaints 1999: 1,522 complaints 1999 2000: 1,675 complaints 2001: 1,686 complaints 2001 2002: 1,353 complaints 2003: 1,510 complaints 2003 1,510 2004: 24 complaints 2005: 1 complaint 2005
1985: 5 complaints 1985 1990: 6 complaints 1990 1991: 3 complaints 1991 1992: 2 complaints 1992 1993: 11 complaints 1993 1994: 23 complaints 1994 1995: 3,328 complaints 1995 1996: 1,386 complaints 1996 1997: 192 complaints 1997 1998: 1,433 complaints 1998 1999: 1,522 complaints 1999 2000: 1,675 complaints 2000 2001: 1,686 complaints 2001 2002: 1,353 complaints 2002 2003: 1,510 complaints 2003 1,510 2004: 24 complaints 2004 2005: 1 complaint 2005

2003: 1,510 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19855
19906
19913
19922
199311
199423
19953,328
19961,386
1997192
19981,433
19991,522
20001,675
20011,686
20021,353
20031,510
200424
20051

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

44% · 665 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Swerved to avoid collision and the brakes locked causing car to lose control on the wet road. The van hit a tree, flipped on its side and smashed into a light pole. The airbags did not deploy even though there was front end damage.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-12-11

Electrical system

19% · 285 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and fuses and circuit breakers.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The rubber on the wires going to the power distribution box rubbed off and melted shorting out everything. Cased the speedometer to go out tachometer to stop working ABS and brake lights to come on and overdrive light blinks.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-09-27

Suspension

17% · 257 reports

Most commonly citing rear and non-powered axle assembly.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal odor circulating inside the cabin of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-06-06

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving from the driveway, the front driver's side control arm detached from the vehicle. The vehicle made an abnormal scraping sound.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-05-06

Power train

15% · 227 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle assembly.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

When leaving my house on a trip out of town, I drove my Windstar down the street to the intersection leaving my street. As I pulled out into traffic the transmission broke, disengaged and would no longer propel the Windstar forward.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-11-03

Structure

8% · 128 reports

Most commonly citing body and frame and members.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Was on the street driving, lights started flashing on dashboard van shut off in the middle of the street battery, alternator, blew out, was driving again van was ilde up really bad and while my feet was on the brakes it started moving on its own and...

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-08-15

Also filed under Engine and vehicle speed control

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10-20 MPH, the steering wheel was shaking abnormally. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V030000 (Structure).

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-27

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2003-11-21Seats03V459000 Certain minivans fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 225, "Child restraint anchorage system." During testing, a third row bench floor-to-seat latch…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat-to-floor latches on the second and third row of seats. Owner notification began on November 21, 2003. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2006-08-04Fuel system, gasoline06E056000 Certain aftermarket fuel filters sold under the purolator brand name, p/n F65277, shipped from January 16 through June 2, 2006, for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Due to incorrect…

    Remedy: Ufi will notify owners and replace the filters free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2006. Owners may contact ufi filters USA at 800-230-5876.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2008-05-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 2008-09-17 Engine compartment fires
  4. I
    2008-09-17Engineering analysisClosed 2009-10-14 Engine compartment fires
  5. R
    2009-10-27Vehicle speed control09V399000 Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 Windstar, 2000-2003 Excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 F-250 SD through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 E-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 Explorer, 1997 and…

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 Windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2010-05-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 2010-09-22 Rear Axle Cracking
  7. I
    2010-07-20Preliminary evaluationClosed 2010-12-20 Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
  8. R
    2010-10-20Suspension10V385000 Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured from September 1, 1997 through February 28, 2003 and currently registered or originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware…

    Remedy: As parts become available, dealers will inspect and if necessary install the rear axle reinforcement brackets free of charge. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2010-12-15Defect petitionClosed 2010-12-21 Rear Axle Fracture Recall Scope
  10. I
    2010-12-20Engineering analysisClosed 2011-03-17 Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
  11. R
    2011-02-21Structure11V030000 Ford is recalling certain model year 1999-2003 Windstar vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, the district of columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm rear attaching brackets, and both body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe, and make the necessary repairs free of charge. If…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2012-06-01Suspension12V195000 Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured from September 1, 1997, through July 3, 2003, registered in Puerto Rico. Due to increased stresses caused by high…

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install a reinforcement bracket on the rear axle or replace the axles, as necessary. This service will be provided free of charge. The recall…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2012-06-18Suspension12V194000 Ford is recalling certain model year 1999-2003 Windstar vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the state of Virginia. Corrosion-related fractures of the front lower control arm rear…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and both body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe and make the necessary repairs free of charge. The recall…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    2012-06-19Power train12V193000 Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured from September 1, 1997, through July 3, 2003, and currently registered or originally sold in Virginia. Over time…

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install rear axle reinforcement brackets, or replace the axles, as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    2015-10-21Suspension15V608000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured September 2, 1997, to July 3, 2003.

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brackets to verify their proper installation. If a bracket is found to have been misinstalled, the rear axle will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Ford Windstar — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 665 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 285 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 257 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V459000 · Seats
  • Recall 06E056000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 09V399000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 10V385000 · Suspension
  • Recall 11V030000 · Structure
  • Recall 12V195000 · Suspension
  • Recall 12V194000 · Suspension
  • Recall 12V193000 · Power train
  • Recall 15V608000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

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FAQ

Is the 2003 Ford Windstar reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Ford Windstar is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford Windstar?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Windstar have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.